Hazelwood District Mom Says She Knows Why Superintendent Was Replaced

Jeannine September 5, 2012 at 02:55 pm

Mr. Behlmann, I am glad you would like to discuss this in more detail. Thank you for bringing it up. I am offended you suggest I am not truthful, because I have been nothing but. Here is the truth, I tried NOT to indulge to spare the district a little of their dignity. My two sons have been mistreated by the district. They have neurological disorders that your district knew they had, yet did NOTHING to help them, and in fact, PUNISHED them and discriminated against them, even after receiving an email from their neurologist saying, do NOT punish these children. My children make "A's", read ABOVE grade, are in the gifted program, my daughter graduated an entire year early from Central. My children don't need to be punished by your staff sir. If my children are being punished, what on earth are you doing to children whose mother's don't or can't advocate for them, what about the children that do have some behavior issues? Well, I know what the school is doing to them, and THAT'S what started my blog. And frankly, I find your Educational Specialist who dishes out most of these punishments, bordering on abusive, she is completely unprofessional and speaks to children in a slang manner among other things. Now sir, lets talk about the law and how you and your district completely failed my children.

Mark Behlmann September 5, 2012 at 02:56 pm

Stacey, believe me I fully understand (more than anybody) unexpected medical conditions. But the vast majority of parents who enroll on the last two days all in their "minds" have a valid reason. For the past three years I have witnessed (been present) on these last two days. I've heard their reasoning (excuses), and to me it is unacceptable. To be a parent requires responsibility, many that I talked to had simply forgot, preoccupied with their personal needs and laughed about it. 90% of the parents enrolled early, 10% did not. Those 10% in all districts cost the taxpayers additional funding. I would find it hard to believe you would stand in the grocery checkout line waiting for the teller who was late for work at that station very long before going somewhere else. Have my deepest regret, and best wishes pertaining to your health issues.

Jeannine September 5, 2012 at 02:58 pm

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the "Child Find Mandate" the principal at Barrington Elementary, as well as ALL the staff had a mandatory duty to "find" my children, their disabilities, and provide testing and a 504 for them. Your district completely blew it!! How many other children in your district have disabilities yet instead of getting help are losing recess, P.E. and getting office referrals??? It happens everyday, it happened to my children and I am frankly daily contemplating suit against the very board in which you sit. So if you really want the TRUTH to come out, perhaps it will. Contact me anytime you would like to take accountability for your complete failure. Jeannine Celestine!

Jeannine September 5, 2012 at 03:05 pm

Lastly, I have NO problem addressing the board but choose not to do it on the night the focus was on PRICE. That being said, I really have no interest approaching the board. "It was addressed and handled in the proper fashion". Was it???? Why then was there a mediation with attorneys and myself involved? Oh that's right because there truth is, your district mistreated my children.

Mark Behlmann September 5, 2012 at 03:18 pm

Michelle, there are many different employment categories that require personal contracts. In this case, a school superintendent has a personal contract with the seven member elected board. The Board is bound by the terms of that contract.
The board also has its own legal representation, attorneys. Our superintendent is on paid administrative leave. Nowhere does it say (except the media) that he is fired. The moment that the board made that decision, becomes a legal matter between our and their Atty. Once everything is settled and legally agreed, another follow-up statement may come out. I said may. Everything depends on the legal agreement terms and by law confidentiality plays a part. The board and employee may very well end up have their tongues tide legally. That is the Federal and State law requirements we are bound by.

Mark Behlmann September 5, 2012 at 03:28 pm

Michelle, I am not going to question your statement of which you claimed to speak with the leader in charge of ousting Ohio's previous superintendent. I do want to forewarn you, if there is any validity to your statement, and in that school district there was a confidentiality clause attached with the exit of that superintendent, you now may have placed yourself as part of a potential lawsuit. Assuming you are speaking about a board member in Ohio, that person is bound by the same confidentiality laws as we are here in Missouri. You (some) may interpret that as "hiding behind the law", but unfortunately that is the way it works. Many do not understand the legal process that takes many years of being involved to grasp. No different than you as an individual that was terminated from a job and placed previous job supervisors name as a reference, that supervisor, by law, MUST not say anything derogatory. Speak with any human resource official you may know to verify what I am saying.

Jeannine September 5, 2012 at 03:32 pm

Mr. Behlmann, from your email addressed to me, you say, "Why do you feel ENTITLED to preferential treatment?" Anything my children have in place at this very moment was because I have been an advocate for them for the past five year. My answer: I have never expected preferential treatment, only fair treatment of my children and what is their legal right under United States Law. The very law your district has broken!

stacey September 5, 2012 at 03:57 pm

WOW, Mr. Behlmann I thought you were aware of the LAW, and you basically just degrated Jeannine ( a mother of a disabled child) on a PUBLIC website/forum. My deepest regrets to you sir, as she may not have wanted everyone to know she even attended that meeting! Some people do not like speaking out in large crowds, as I am one of them! However, I can email/blog/etc very well, and better explain my true feelings when I sit down and truely think them through! However, i'm NOT a liar and I'm a VERY, EXCEPTIONAL parent, and am not out to GET anyone, just the same as Jeannine! You didn't address her personally because you didn't want the BACKLASH!! When it's all said and done, their will be more advocating parents than their are school staff, etc and our voices WILL be MUCH LOUDER than yours! Where are all the extra kids coming from in your district who sign up so late? And why would you not expect them to and why were you not prepared for them to!! Some parent's need guidance, and many school districts give that to them instead of labeling them as "bad, irresponsible parents". The job title you hold, since losing the mayoral race in Florissant (and before) puts you in a position to hear complaints, concerns, etc. I don't know you personally but know the important position you hold. So i'm not being rude but you should have been more prepared and more knowledgeable, helpful to the people in your community that count on you..for now!

stacey September 5, 2012 at 04:03 pm

Angela, I would love to blog on the Patch! My 9 year old daughter and I were thinking of doing that the other night. The Florissant patch had an article inviting bloggers, and even their children. My daughter is very smart, caring, opionated, and responsible. I already have some article/ideas/etc I'd love to share! I'm an EEC major, and feel strongly about schools/education/learning disabilities/our community/etc. However I am going through a health issue, it's called a Pseudo Tumour Cerebri, and it's behind my optic nerves in my brain. It's benign, thankfully, but still undergoing treatment, and dealing w/disability/medical bills/etc so I may need your help proof reading my articles first as my cognitive function isn't 100% BUT I've never let my children down, always listen to them, protect them, etc NO matter how I'm feeling and will continue to do so. Thanks for the words of encouragement Angela and Jeannine, I may write my 1st one this evening!!

Mark Behlmann September 5, 2012 at 04:14 pm

Jeannine, again you have me at a disadvantage with further discussing in an open forum issues that pertain to legal rights related to your child specifically. Although you have, publicly displayed your advocacy and in the public light under the heading of Dr. Price. This heading has provided you the intro to express yourself. Based on my findings and due diligence, I firmly disagree with the facts as you have expressed. I have provided a INVITATION for you to precede with. If you feel this is unacceptable and you feel that you have been harmed, then you need to follow through with what you feel is best and just.
I did want you and all readers to know, that after reading your posts that some one (board member) did initiate discussions based on your accusations. Board members are not privy to everything and when something is brought to our attention we do take an active role and get involved by asking questions of administration. I take great offense to those who make the accusation that I was contacted but never received a return response. All Hazelwood board members are active in the community and take great pride and responsibility with the position they were elected to do. This I will vigorously defend. You have options now go forward.

Angela Atkinson (Editor) September 5, 2012 at 04:17 pm

Although I'm not aware of all of the specifics of this situation and therefore cannot take a side here, I'd like to add one thing in regard to the "entitled to preferential treatment" comment, perhaps the following information from the U.S. Department of Education can be helpful. Jeannine is correct in that expecting her children to be given an education that worked around their disabilities isn't expecting preferential treatment. In fact, schools are required by law to do just that.
Taken from: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/qa-disability.html School districts are required to provide a free appropriate education to students with disabilities based on their individualized educational needs. The services may include special education and related aids and services such as physical therapy, as well as modifications to the regular education program including adjustments in test taking procedures and adjustments to rules regarding absences when a student's absences are due to a disability. Does OCR enforce laws that prohibit harassment of students or others because of a disability? Yes. Both Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act make it unlawful to harass people in covered entities because of their disabilities. OCR and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services have jointly issued guidance to school districts regarding harassment based on disability.

Jeannine September 5, 2012 at 04:17 pm

Stacey, I would love to see your blog. I am not a great proof reader, but if you ever need help with it, I'd be happy to. Thank you for your support. It means so much to me. Jeannine

Angela Atkinson (Editor) September 5, 2012 at 04:24 pm

Yes! We'd love to have you both on either site! We'll share the posts between the two. :) Really excited to have you coming on board. I think you've got a very unique point of view that the community needs to know about. I wish you the best with your health condition as well. I'll be happy to help proof for you--just shoot me an email when you submit a post and let me know. :) Looking forward to seeing your thoughts and your posts!

Angela Atkinson (Editor) September 5, 2012 at 04:26 pm

Jeannine, thanks for supporting Stacey too! I love to see my fellow moms coming together this way. :) This thread has somehow dropped several of my responses, so I hope you've all received them in email at least.

Angela Atkinson (Editor) September 5, 2012 at 04:29 pm

Mr. Behlmann, thanks for letting us know that Jeannine's post was able to spur conversation among the board members. I appreciate that you're standing up and speaking out on behalf of the board--it adds a whole new perspective to this discussion that is important for all involved.

Mom21ofeach September 5, 2012 at 04:32 pm

Here is my question?? Are they going to hire someone who cares that we only scored 9 out of 14 on our accredition?? That is the bare minimum we needed. They need to find a way to grow and more forward and be there for the kids. If HSD becomes unaccredited we will all have to move or send our kids to private schools, and there are alot of families that can not afford to do either. I hope the new Super is for the kids and finding a way to educated them, or I know I will be moving.

Angela Atkinson (Editor) September 5, 2012 at 04:36 pm

Good question. I know the school board cares and is working on improvement across the board--so my guess is that they will be looking for a superintendent who feels the same way. With that being said, I do not represent the school board, and I invite Mr. Behlmann or another board member to respond as well.

Mom21ofeach September 5, 2012 at 04:38 pm

And with the comment on moving* Our houses will be worth less than they already are valued if it loses accredition, so we lose either way.

Angela Atkinson (Editor) September 5, 2012 at 04:43 pm

Another good point. It's definitely not a seller's market around here right now, at least not as far as I can tell. There are at least three homes that have been for sale in my neighborhood for more than a year each.

Mark Behlmann September 5, 2012 at 06:51 pm

Mom21ofeach, first and foremost I am not the voice for the entire seven member board. Although I am a board member. It is sometimes hard to separate the two in translation. For months at board meetings board members have voiced their deepest thoughts and concerns. As one with a reputable name within the community that has been involved with all aspects of real estate I can assure you that no one is satisfied with a score of 9. The school district has had "in place" a administrative TEAM where a 9 is not acceptable. This week that message is loud and clear. I may also add,that the teachers in our buildings are second to none. Our teachers are working with children in ways that quite frankly space does not allow me to explain. But I can assure you, they are constantly learning and developing their skills to better our children. It is the board's responsibility to provide these wonderful teachers the resources necessary to achieve a positive outcome we all expect. I/we fully understand the significance of anything less as a result to our community. The board has worked harder in the last two years then in my past 15 year experience. We realize this is crucial and we do not take our recent decisions lightly. I have full faith and confidence in our administrative team and most definitely in our teachers.

Mark Behlmann September 5, 2012 at 07:24 pm

stacey, I understand that I may come off cold and bold to some. I'm not trying to be argumentative. But as sensitive of an issue "a child" builds many emotions. I understand a parent will defend their child, I as well have done it. I have also defended this community armed with (facts) not rumors or emotions, in some of the most uncomfortable settings publicly. Jeannine by the way, publicly posted that she was at the meeting last night before I voiced it. I also believe most parents ARE very exceptional but as a board member I have the discomfort of meeting those who are not. In my 16 years on the board I have never discouraged parents who advocate for their children, that is the exact thing that makes the board stronger and louder, I encourage it publicly. It takes our data department a good 30 days to filter through all children who have enrolled. We will have a report given to us as to where these children who enrolled late are attending. We have never discouraged or turn anyone away and work very hard to enroll all children for the start of school. My past or future political aspirations have no interference with my role on the school board. I will admit I am the board member who has the boldest approach at getting to the root of a problem as well as solution. I value time, because time is of the essence and time can never be retrieved.

Charlie September 6, 2012 at 02:19 am

Plain and simple, the hazelwood school district is not what it used to be 20 years ago!!!! I am thinking seriously about moving my kids out of the district!!!!

stacey September 6, 2012 at 03:44 am

Mr. Behlman, as to the last reply you sent me I'd like to actually agree with you on some of what you've said. Another reason, this is an amazing forum, that's neseccary ( I believe so) for both sides, (the parents, public), and a member of a (school board) for us ALL to undertand BOTH sides of the story. I also want to applaud you sir, for definately gaining my respect on ACTUALLY responding/communicating with all of us, to help us understand.. Your actually LISTENING to us parent's of the community, & @ least trying to understand our point of view as well. What a simple, non-threating, comfortable (not speaking in front of large crowds..EH!), way to voice both our sides/opinions.

stacey September 6, 2012 at 03:44 am

My point of responding from your 1st reply which sent the message out to me, that it was the parent's fault for the overcrowdness/other issues, and I took offence having have unexpectedly been one of those parents registering late. However when I did, I felt bad enough for being late, the FER/FLOR school system were extremely helpful, and multiple people whom I apologized to responded w/"No problem, we are use to it ever year, so we plan ahead, while expecting it." But I DO agree, and dislike, the fact that their are MANY parents who chose NOT to be a part of their child's education and I've witnessed some who aren't even intersted in their child's behavior. They need to be held responsible, NOT their children! I also believe our school's are too "lax" on those parent's and not keepin up w/them/track of their obligations. BOTTOM LINE: We all agree changes need to be made w/ our schools, and this foim is a start, and helps a lot of people!

Angela Atkinson (Editor) September 6, 2012 at 11:05 am

I don't think you're alone, Charlie, but my hope is that as a community, we can gather together and work to improve the district for all. As a parent who has three kids who are or will be in the district, I hope the board's new improvement plan will make the changes we all want to see.

Angela Atkinson (Editor) September 6, 2012 at 11:07 am

Thank you for this, Stacey! I think that while Mr. Behlmann may have been a bit overwhelmed with the PR-storm that hit the district after Mr. Price was replaced, he truly has the best interest of our kids at heart and wants the best for all involved.
And to Mr. Behlmann, I'd like to echo Stacey's sentiments--thank you for communicating with us and helping us to understand where the board stands, and for listening and responding to everyone's concerns.

Angela Atkinson (Editor) September 6, 2012 at 11:10 am

So glad to hear that this forum is working the way we intended, and I totally hear what you're saying about parents. I truly believe that our kids get a BETTER education, regardless of which district or school they attend, when parents get and stay involved in their day-to-day educational process.
You're right, it's not fair to the kids when parents don't stay involved. And that's why, in part, I hope Mr. Behlmann will work with us on either a blog or an article series about parent responsibilities in educating their kids. Thanks again for getting involved in the discussion. :)

Mom21ofeach September 6, 2012 at 12:33 pm

I will stick with HSD until that is no longer and option. I appreciate that Mr Behlmann is addressing our concerns on the Patch. I do appreciate the hard work that the school board does for our kids. I agree that things need to change to make the district what it once was, and I am hoping that breathing new life into the new Super will do the trick.

Angela Atkinson (Editor) September 7, 2012 at 09:27 pm

I'm with you all the way, Momof21each!

Joel Kabak October 16, 2012 at 05:13 pm

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread. We are now 4 years in this district, and while I do not take the time to attend meetings, I do take my children's education very seriously. I am in constant contact with my daughters teachers at NWMS and have so far, been satisfied with what I see going on. On a slightly different note, I completely disagree that the standards that are required for the schools and the district are based solely on the results of "test scores". In my experiences, each child should be treated and taught as individuals. Not test scores. The teachers, who went into this profession with the desire and anticipation for helping young children get a good education, are stuck with teaching our kids based on test scores. There seems to no longer be a desire to "educate", but rather a need to achieve higher test scores. I welcome any comments or thoughts about my ideas regarding the testing and education standards. I can be reached at joelkabak1@yahoo.com. Thank you for listening.